Went 9 miles out and could not empty the holding tank. HELP
Tried to pump out at pump out station but only pumped out a few gallons.
Tried to pump out at pump out station but only pumped out a few gallons.
holding tank
- Thread starter carneypat
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Check the vent.
If you remove the deck fitting when you are out beyond the limit and you remove the deck fitting and it pumps out you will know that they vent is blocked.
Some of the vents have screens in them (not a good idea) so you can try removing the screen too.
If you remove the deck fitting when you are out beyond the limit and you remove the deck fitting and it pumps out you will know that they vent is blocked.
Some of the vents have screens in them (not a good idea) so you can try removing the screen too.
Sounds like a blocked tank vent...
The two most common locations for a vent blockage are the vent thru-hull and vent line connection to the tank--both the tank fitting and that end of the vent line.
Start by scraping out the the vent thru-hull with a screw driver or whatever works. If there's a screen in it, knock it out...screens cause more problems than they solve. Then remove the vent line from the tank (open the deck pumpout fitting first to relieve any pressure, or you could have waste all over that part of your boat and you!) and scrape out the fitting and the vent line.
Do NOT use the toilet again or attempt to pump out again until the vent is clear...'cuz when air in the tank displaced by incoming waste can't get out the vent, the system becomes pressurized, which can result in a major eruption or a burst tank. Pumping out against a blocked vent will cause the pump to pull a vacuum that prevents the pump from pulling out much. A partcularly strong pumpout can implode a tank.
Which is why tank vent maintenance is very important. Backflush the vent every time you pump out and/or wash the boat to keep the vent line open.
Removing the deck fitting is NOT a good idea because the pumpout line comes out of the tank at the botttom, but air is needed at the top. It IS possible to put enough suction on an overboard discharge line to make it work, but the macerator motor may overheat and/or the impeller may "fry" from dry friction heat before it pull anything out. Plus, if the tank is seriously pressurized, you won't need the macerator to empty the tank, but you will need a bath if you happen to be downwind of the eruption.
The two most common locations for a vent blockage are the vent thru-hull and vent line connection to the tank--both the tank fitting and that end of the vent line.
Start by scraping out the the vent thru-hull with a screw driver or whatever works. If there's a screen in it, knock it out...screens cause more problems than they solve. Then remove the vent line from the tank (open the deck pumpout fitting first to relieve any pressure, or you could have waste all over that part of your boat and you!) and scrape out the fitting and the vent line.
Do NOT use the toilet again or attempt to pump out again until the vent is clear...'cuz when air in the tank displaced by incoming waste can't get out the vent, the system becomes pressurized, which can result in a major eruption or a burst tank. Pumping out against a blocked vent will cause the pump to pull a vacuum that prevents the pump from pulling out much. A partcularly strong pumpout can implode a tank.
Which is why tank vent maintenance is very important. Backflush the vent every time you pump out and/or wash the boat to keep the vent line open.
Removing the deck fitting is NOT a good idea because the pumpout line comes out of the tank at the botttom, but air is needed at the top. It IS possible to put enough suction on an overboard discharge line to make it work, but the macerator motor may overheat and/or the impeller may "fry" from dry friction heat before it pull anything out. Plus, if the tank is seriously pressurized, you won't need the macerator to empty the tank, but you will need a bath if you happen to be downwind of the eruption.
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